Anti-obesity drug Wegovy can be prescribed for heart problems, FDA says

• About 70% of American adults are obese or overweight and have increased risk for premature death and a variety of health problems.

What they're saying: "Providing a treatment option that is proven to lower this cardiovascular risk is a major advance for public health," John Sharretts, a director in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.

By the numbers: Wegovy was found to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in a trial of 17,600 patients, the FDA said in a release.

• Major cardiovascular events occurred in 6.5% of participants on Wegovy compared to 8% in a control group, they said.

Yes, but: U.S. demand for the obesity drugs exceeded supply in 2023, and expanding the patient population could further fuel shortages.

• Novo Nordisk has filed for a similar label expansion for Wegovy in Europe.

Read more: America's weight-loss drug boom, explained